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Lady Leopards fall to Freeport, 44-38

By Jonathan Guth jguth@heraldstandard.Com 3 min read
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Jonathan Guth | ëƵ-Standard

Belle VernonëƵs Rachel Wobrak puts up a shot while being defended by FreeportëƵs Harley Halloway (5), Melaina Dezort (34) and Sidney Shemanski in MondayëƵs first-round playoff game in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs at North Hills Middle School. Wobrak, a senior, scored 10 points in her final high school contest, as the Lady Yellow Jackets topped the Lady Leopards, 44-38.

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Jonathan Guth | ëƵ-Standard

Belle VernonëƵs Jenna Dawson puts up a shot as FreeportëƵs Louisa Fennell (23) and Sidney Shemanski watches the play develop in MondayëƵs first-round playoff game in the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs. Dawson had 10 points, but the Lady Leopards lost, 44-38.

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Jonathan Guth | ëƵ-Standard

Belle VernonëƵs Taylor Rodriguez drives to the basket while being guarded by FreeportëƵs Louisa Fennell in MondayëƵs WPIAL Class AAAA first-round playoff game at North Hills Middle School.

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Jonathan Guth | ëƵ-Standard

Belle VernonëƵs Rachel Wobrak drives to the hoop while being watched by FreeportëƵs Melaina Dezort in MondayëƵs first-round playoff game in the WPIAL Class AAAA at North Hills Middle School.

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Jonathan Guth | ëƵ-Standard

Belle VernonëƵs Tara Callaway passes in MondayëƵs first-round playoff game against Freeport at North Hills Middle School.

PITTSBURGH ëƵ Belle Vernon held Freeport to 11 points below its average, but the Lady Leopards couldnëƵt get enough key stops or shots to fall in a 44-38 setback on Monday in the first round of the WPIAL Class AAAA girlsëƵ basketball playoffs at North Hills Middle School.

Belle Vernon (16-7) cut the deficit to one with 40.4 seconds remaining when Jenna Dawson put in two of her 10 points on a layup, but the Lady Yellow JacketsëƵ Sidney Shemanski made two at the foul line for a 41-38 lead with 21.7 left. The Lady Leopards couldnëƵt score on their next possession and Shemanski made 1 of 2 at the line, and teammate Madaline Clark went 2 of 2 to close things out.

ëƵWe fought but I definitely think our youth showed a little bit tonight,ëƵ Belle Vernon coach Ronnie Drennen said. ëƵWe didnëƵt get stops when we needed to get stops, and we didnëƵt execute when we needed to execute.ëƵ

Clark scored a game-high 13 points on four field goals, and was 5 of 6 at the (all in the fourth quarter), and Shemanski added 12 on three field goals (1 three-pointer) and was 5 of 9 at the line.

Freeport (17-6) had a 10-7 lead after the first quarter, as Taylor Rodriguez scored four points for Belle Vernon and Dawson made a three-pointer. Rodriguez went 7 of 8 from the free-throw line in scoring nine points.

Both teams scored 12 in the second quarter and the Lady Yellow Jackets had a 22-19 halftime advantage.

The Lady Leopards opened the second half on a 6-2 run to take a 25-24 lead with 4:40 left in the period after senior Rachel Wobrak connected on a three-pointer. Wobrak shared team-high scoring honors with Dawson in scoring 10 on three field goals (1 three-pointer) and was 3 of 4 at the line.

ëƵShe (Wobrak) and Vienna Bertram have given their heart and soul to this program,ëƵ said Drennen when asked about his seniors. ëƵThey have come in and worked so hard every day during the offseason, and in season, and I know how much it meant to them to want to get over the hump and get this playoff victory. Unfortunately, we just couldnëƵt do that for them.ëƵ

Freshman Farrah Reader had a key basket in Belle VernonëƵs run, as she cut the deficit to one after scoring on a putback, being fouled and making the foul shot for the and-one.

In addition to Bertram and Wobrak, the Lady LeopardsëƵ Kori Kuhns and Emily McGowan are also graduating.

Freeport plays second-seeded Southmoreland (22-0) on Thursday in the quarterfinals at Penn-Trafford High School. The tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Lady Scotties won a non-section meeting between the two, 63-23, on Dec. 7.

The Lady Yellow JacketsëƵ Melaina Dezort scored 10 points on three field goals (1 three-pointer) and was 3 of 6 at the line.

ëƵI thought we did a pretty good job of stopping them defensively,ëƵ Drennen said. ëƵWe prepped a little on their dribble drives. I thought we made it really hard for them at times, but we also made it really easier for them at times. I am proud of our girlsëƵ defense. They worked really hard.ëƵ

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